In a recent interview, a Christian commentator described salvation by quoting the words of noted historians and church fathers. His attending panel added their own anecdotal offerings supporting a version of how to be saved. Multiple stories and examples were presented to make the case for Heaven, but no one quoted the words of Jesus. In fact, the Bible was completely left out of the forum. These religious leaders described salvation without using one single verse of scripture!
Such is the case in our “salvation by emotion” culture. People “feel” themselves spiritual or consider themselves saved without the need for obedience to God’s Word. Traditional beliefs often take precedent over Biblical evidence, thus a host of church-goers are relying upon what was done in the past to determine their eternal destiny.
Yet Jesus said:
John 3:5 “Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.”
Mark 16:16 “He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.”
Acts 1:5 “For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence.”
The Apostles wrote:
1 Peter 3:21 “The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us…”
Romans 6:4 “Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.”
Acts 19:4 “Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus.”
Acts 19:5 “When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.”
Acts 19:6 “And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied.”
These, and more, are troubling scriptures for people who believe that salvation is by intent rather than obedience. Commentators cannot supplant the actual scripture. None are higher than the Bible! None, regardless of their oratory skills or education, can lead us to salvation without the already established Word of God. Acts 4:12 “Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.”
Pastor Jeffrey Harpole